The Messenger Reviews

The Messenger is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Jun 12, 2018

If there's any real "downside" to The Messenger, it's that its music and effects can be repetitive, but well... that's nitpicking. At its core, this game is damn-near perfection of the 2D action-platforming genre.  Humorous writing, great boss fights, well-thought-out level design, and challenging but not painful execution make The Messenger a must-have for any Switch owner.

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90 / 100
Aug 27, 2018

If you’re a fan of classic action-platformers, The Messenger is another indie game that you need to own. It’s much more than a tribute to Ninja Gaiden. This Switch and PC game cuts its own path with some inventive abilities and fun gameplay twists.

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Polygon
Top Critic
Unscored
Aug 27, 2018

But for those of us who love gaming history, and the ways it still impacts games today, The Messenger is a shaggy but lovable adventure that shouldn't be skipped as we enter the fall games deluge

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10 / 10.0
Aug 27, 2018

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10 / 10
Aug 27, 2018

The Messenger is a prime example of how to study the fundamental rules of a genre that has been replicated a million times before. To then follow these rules, bend them and eventually break them into something of its own calibre of quality is something quite special indeed.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018
The Messenger - Easy Allies Review video thumbnail
GameXplain
Top Critic
Liked
Aug 28, 2018
The Messenger - REVIEW (Nintendo Switch) video thumbnail
Aug 28, 2018

"One of the best looking and sounding retro-inspired games, but its difficulty curve is like a roller coaster."

Review in Finnish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

For those who spent hours playing the original Ninja Gaiden or Castlevania on NES and are looking for a bit of nostalgia, The Messenger will be a near perfect fit.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

There's a chance the trial & error nature of the bosses will put off some people, and the run-time is certainly long for the genre, but The Messenger is a staggeringly good game and a shining example of a big risk paying bigger dividends.

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4.5 / 5.0
Aug 28, 2018

Truth be told, these are but brief and minor gripes in what is a twenty hour quest (should you aim for a full 100% completion) chock full of charm, wit and some of the most mechanically-sound and cleverly-designed platforming you're likely to find this side of 2018.

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9.5 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

The Messenger is not just a brilliant love letter to the 8-bit and 16-bit games that inspired it. It's proof that even in a market saturated with retro-style platformers, there are still clever ways to approach the genre. It is one of the most well-designed games I have ever played on both a gameplay and storytelling level. Sabotage really created something special here and I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

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USgamer
Top Critic
Aug 28, 2018

The Messenger establishes itself as an excellent tribute to old-school platformers, then proceeds to rapidly up the ante with a series of outstanding gameplay twists. I'm deeply impressed by The Messenger's ambition and polish. It's a must-own for any retro enthusiast.

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8 / 10
Aug 28, 2018

Inspired by the 8-bit and 16-bit action-platformers of yesteryear, The Messenger is an ambitious and well-balanced side-scroller that's as difficult as it is funny.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

The Messenger is a terrific throwback to action platformers like Ninja Gaiden with welcome twists. While a mid-game identity crisis detracts from the experience, it's still an adventure worth taking

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10 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

On top of that, it layers on an onslaught of laudatory elements, whether it's a winning, humorous tone, the excellent linear level design, or the marvels of the late-game exploration. When I first sat down with The Messenger, I thought it'd be hard for it to live up to my brilliant, childhood memories of Ninja Gaiden on NES. It didn't just meet those expectations, it annihilated them. The Messenger is a straight-up brilliant addition to the Switch and if you have any affinity for platformers of nearly any shape or size, go play it right this second.

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8.3 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

The Messenger is a brilliant action platformer (...or is it a metroidvania?), full of irony and pretty difficult jumps. The time shift between the 8-bit past and the 16-bit "future" is what makes the game shine - even with its low replayability.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Evan Slead
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

Sabotage Studio's debut title, The Messenger, is an impressive evolution for the platforming genre. It takes risks that at times work in its favor but also create frustrating mechanics for players to look past. The melding of 8-bit and 16-bit aesthetics into a love letter for the NES era of platformers is nothing short of genius, but the style outweighs the gameplay in some areas, including the difficulty level.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

The Messenger is a finely crafted homage to the kind of game that first introduced many avid gamers to a lifelong hobby.

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7.5 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2018

The Messenger surprises by being a round game in all aspects. A platform that becomes metroidvania and that serves as a tribute to the classic Ninja Gaiden. And be careful, because we're also going to laugh a lot with him.

Review in Spanish | Read full review